Saving for eternal retirement

Chaplain Dale Bailey

POSTED:August 5, 2011 11:59 p.m.

Life definitely has a series of financial chapters. After high school most people work an entry level job, begin a military career, or endure the years of being a “poor college student”. Somewhere along the journey usually comes marriage and children. Having a family brings the desire to own a place to call home. At some point we realize that we will not be able to work forever and need to save for retirement. These are all great desires. God wants us to take care of our families and be good stewards of what He has provided. 1 Timothy 5:8 says, “But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”However, as we often learn from God’s word, going to an extreme and not having a balance will definitely lead us to a troubled end. God wants us to find that balance of taking care of our families and saving for “eternal” retirement. In Luke 12, Jesus Christ tells the story of a “rich fool” who was an extremist and focused only on riches in this world. The man gave no thought about the eternal life that each of us will one day be living. Luke 12:20-21 says, “But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”Are material possessions hindering your faith in God? Jesus says in Luke 12:33-34 “sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” In speaking of the hungry, the poor, the naked, the sick, and those in prison, Jesus says in Matthew 25:40 “ … Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.”Is that just like God or what? He tells us to save for eternity by giving, not hoarding. This thought is completely opposite of our human ‘self-preservation mindset. As we pass through this busy life, let us not forget about the eternal retirement that we will all experience. Financial experts say, “Start saving early for retirement.” God says start saving now for eternal retirement in Heaven. God bless and have a great life in Christ!